Daily Devotional

"He Yearns Jealously"

"Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose, 'He jealously desires the Spirit whom He has made to dwell in us'?" James 4:5

Previously James spoke about the quarrels and conflicts among Christians.  These he said arose from pleasures, lack and envy among the people.  He also declared with should ask God for what we need, instead of being in conflict with one another. But we need to ask with right motives.  Then he makes a very stark statement.  He called the people thus arguing as adulteresses!  He declared that friendship with the world is a form of hostility with God.  He goes even so far as to say that those who make themselves friends with the world make themselves enemies of God!

We do not like to think on such black and white terms.  Charles Finney sometimes preached something similar in his revival work.  At the end of the message he would invite people to receive Christ as their Savior, and that those should stand who were ready.  Then He said to the others that they were declaring themselves God’s enemies by staying seated.  This did not go over well with everyone, as you can imagine!  But he was only asserting what James is saying here in today’s passage, that that there is no middle ground with God on this issue.  We are either friends of God, or declared enemies of God!

But today’s verse takes this issue, which can seem kind of transactional, and turns it into something profoundly personal, to God!  It is not finally about right and wrong, or about giving or retaining money, serving or not serving.  It is about being in love with God, who is in love with us!  It is like a woman in marriage.  She takes the name of her husband, and lives in his house.  She bears children with his name.  Her destiny and her fortunes rise and fall with her husband.  His future is her future.  Jesus would take us as His bride!  He is jealous to have us!

There is nothing halfway about this!  It is no wonder the devil is out to destroy the picture of a loving marriage of a man and a woman, of a blessed family, that he might eradicate this picture from before mankind, lest they see it and turn to Christ!  So it comes down to this fully committed love union with Jesus, or full abandonment of self to the world.

Jesus is the Lord who jealously desires the Spirit He has made to dwell in us as believers.  What a life He wants for us, bound up with Him all our days!  On the earth, walking with Him and serving Him. What an honor and a joy!  Then being ushered into heaven with Him as He inherits the kingdom set apart for Him from the foundation of the world.  That glorious and joyous life with the King of kings, forever and ever!!

The Lord very much personally wants our fully committed love.  Nothing less will do!  He is jealous for us!  Jealous for you!  Go, and love Him with all your heart, above all else!
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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